Executive Order No. 32: Declaration of a State Emergency

January 29, 2026

Executive Order No. 32

Declaration of a State of Emergency

Whereas, current weather projections indicate that a winter storm is anticipated to hit the State of North Carolina starting on or about January 30, 2026, causing significant impacts; and

            Whereas, on January 24 and 25, 2026, the State experienced severe winter weather, including freezing rain, which caused widespread power outages and hazardous conditions, and the State has since experienced sustained below-average temperatures, further exacerbating the impact on public safety, infrastructure, and essential services; and

Whereas, the projected winter storm could further disrupt and provide additional strain on essential services, public safety, infrastructure and utility systems; and

Whereas, the  anticipated impacts from the projected winter storm constitute a state of emergency as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 166A-19.3(6) and 166A-19.3(20); and

           Whereas, certain measures are necessary to ensure the protection and safety of North Carolina residents and to coordinate the emergency response among state and local entities and officials; and

Whereas, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.1(3) provides that it is the responsibility of the Governor, state agencies, and local governments to “[p]rovide for the rapid and orderly rehabilitation of persons and restoration of property”; and

Whereas, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.1(4) provides that it is the responsibility of the Governor, state agencies, and local governments to “[p]rovide for cooperation and coordination of activities relating to emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery among agencies and officials of this state and with similar agencies and officials of other states, with local and federal governments, with interstate organizations, and with other private and quasi-official organizations”; and

Whereas, N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 166A-19.10 and 166A-19.20 authorize the Governor to declare a state of emergency and exercise the powers and duties set forth therein to direct and aid in the response to, recovery from, and mitigation against emergencies; and

Whereas, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.10(3) authorizes the Governor to delegate any gubernatorial authority vested in him under the Emergency Management Act, and to provide for the subdelegation of that authority; and

Now, therefore, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor by the Constitution and the laws of the State of North Carolina, IT IS ORDERED:

Section 1.

I hereby declare that a state of emergency, as defined in N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 166A-19.3(6) and 166A-19.3(20) exist in the State of North Carolina due to the anticipated impacts from the projected winter storm.

For purposes of this Executive Order, the emergency area is the entire State of North Carolina (“the Emergency Area”).

Section 2.

I order all state and local government entities and agencies to cooperate in the implementation of the provisions of this declaration and the provisions of the North Carolina Emergency Operations Plan (“the Plan”).

Section 3.

I delegate to the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (“DPS”), or the Secretary's designee, all power and authority granted to and required of me by Article 1A of Chapter 166A of the North Carolina General Statutes to implement the Plan and deploy the State Emergency Response Team to take the appropriate actions necessary to promote and secure the safety and protection of the populace in North Carolina.

Section 4.

The Secretary of DPS (“Secretary”), as the Chief Coordinating Officer for the State of North Carolina, shall exercise the powers prescribed in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143B-602.

Section 5.

I further direct the Secretary, or his designee, to seek assistance from any and all agencies of the United States Government as may be needed to meet the emergency and to seek reimbursement for costs incurred by the state in responding to this emergency.

Section 6.

This Executive Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until February 20, 2026 unless modified, superseded, or rescinded.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in the City of Raleigh, this 29th day of January in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-six.

Josh Stein

Governor

Attest: 

Timothy L. Crowley          

Chief of Staff, Secretary of State